Who’s up for a little house crashing? This beautiful older home in Richmond’s Forest Hill neighborhood was too good not to share. The owner, Wendy, works in retail design and merchandising and even creates light fixtures when she’s not styling interiors — so the house is a natural backdrop for photoshoots and commercials. In short, it’s practically famous.
The front porch is full of charm: a soft blue ceiling, a weathered door, a cheerful red vintage mailbox, and extra-wide steps that invite you inside.
Inside, a grand staircase leads upstairs and a shimmering silver-painted wall catches your eye. Wendy applied the metallic paint in a dry-brush motion, creating a vertical, wallpaper-like texture. Three exterior-style lights above a piece of art add an unexpected, playful touch.
To the right of the hallway is the dining room. We fell for a pink industrial cart on casters used as a sidepiece — topped with a white duck decoy that instantly charmed us. Metal stars above the doorway and a cluster of small framed pieces create a whimsical vignette that makes the room feel collected and fun.
The dining room also features a vintage fireplace and a school-sized chalkboard covered with notes and drawings from visitors. Wendy even painted the dining table the same metallic silver as the entryway during a New Year’s project with her daughter — a spontaneous and stylish update that gives the room cohesive sparkle.
Lighting throughout the house is striking. Many pieces are Wendy’s own designs or carefully sourced finds, contributing to the home’s distinctive look.
Most treasures in the house were discovered at thrift stores, salvage shops, and even on the curb. Despite the mix-and-match sourcing, the result reads elegant and intentional. The pink cart up close and a wooden duck tucked on the top shelf illustrate how small, well-chosen items add personality.
To the left of the entry sits the living room with a large teal sofa Wendy saved for after many visits to the store — a relatable decision for anyone who’s fallen for a special piece. More metal stars frame the doorway, while a large clock above the piano, a meaningful gift from her father, anchors the room.
The coffee table is another repurposed cart on casters; simple, functional, and full of character. The house welcomes you instantly — it feels comfortable and casual in the best way, inviting visitors to linger.
A close-up of the clock highlights its scale and presence above the piano.
From the piano you can see into the entryway and the dining room beyond, which emphasizes the home’s open, connected flow.
Across from the piano, the teal sofa faces another original fireplace and a tripod floor lamp designed by Wendy — a piece with the kind of presence that seems at home in a high-end design magazine.
Near the kitchen, Wendy created a laundry area with custom distressed doors that hide the washer and dryer. She added chippy paint and architectural salvage details — iron grates, vintage handles and corner accents — to create two unique closet doors.
The house has a second staircase off the kitchen and laundry area. Small touches, like a basket mounted on the wall, add warmth and a hint of whimsy.
The kitchen centers around a repurposed school cabinet used as an island, complete with long, skinny drawers that made us swoon. A vertically mounted plate rack stores linens and napkins, a clever and pretty storage solution.
A guest room at the rear of the house features chipped, multi-colored shutters and a small tin basket holding faux blooms — another example of Wendy’s talent for reimagining old pieces in fresh ways.
Wendy’s curated arrangement of frames, shelves, letters and found objects creates an asymmetric gallery wall that feels collected and personal rather than contrived.
Her bedroom features a charming four-poster bed that invites relaxation (Clara, the family pet, tested it out twice).
The en-suite bath feels light, airy, and beachy, with breezy half-curtains and a weathered dresser used for storing towels and linens — a fresh, lived-in look that complements the rest of the house.
This home is a wonderful example of thoughtful curation: mixing thrifted finds, architectural salvage, custom pieces and DIY updates to create a cohesive, welcoming space. Thanks to Wendy for inviting us in. She’s also putting the house on the market, so interested buyers can reach out to her directly through her site. Favorites from the visit? The pink cart on casters, the white duck decoy, the soft blue porch ceiling — and John’s not-so-secret crush on the giant clock.